Average Reaction Time Stats
Based on published large-scale data, the global average reaction time is ~273 ms.
| Percentile | Reaction time | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% | < 190 ms | Elite — pro esports, F1 drivers |
| Top 10% | < 235 ms | Excellent — competitive gamers |
| Top 25% | < 255 ms | Good — regular gamers, athletes |
| Average | ~273 ms | Typical adult |
| Below average | > 350 ms | Room to improve |
Reaction time by age
Reaction time peaks in the late teens to mid-20s (around 250 ms on average) and slows gradually — roughly 270 ms in the 30s, 290 ms in the 40s, and 310+ ms past 60. Regular practice and good sleep narrow the gap at any age.
What affects your score
- Device: touchscreens and wireless mice add 20–80 ms of latency.
- Display: a 60 Hz screen adds up to 16 ms vs a 144 Hz+ display.
- Fatigue & caffeine: tired brains are slow brains; moderate caffeine helps.
- Practice: scores improve 10–20% in the first week of daily testing.